State Courts

J.N.W. v. Commonwealth of Virginia - Affirmance of Judgment

The Court of Appeals of Virginia affirmed a trial court's judgment, denying a motion to suppress a confession and excluding expert testimony. The court found that any error in denying the motion to suppress was harmless due to independent evidence of guilt.

Wharton v. State - Probation Extension Consent Ruling

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled that an illegal probation extension, even if consented to by the defendant, is void. The court found that while a defendant may consent to probation terms, they cannot consent to illegal conditions, and violations under such an extension are invalid. This ruling impacts how probation extensions with impermissible conditions are handled in Maryland courts.

In re Holder - Collateral Estoppel in Insurance Regulatory Scheme

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled that administrative hearings under the Insurance Article can have collateral estoppel effects on later proceedings, clarifying the application of collateral estoppel to regulatory schemes. The court also addressed the good faith requirement for claim denials and the separation of civil claims from judicial review petitions.

Bailey v. Happer - SAFE ACT Retroactive Application

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled in Bailey v. Happer that the SAFE Act may not be applied retroactively, but conduct predating the statute can be considered. The court affirmed a $395,310 award for financial exploitation.

Reid v. Balt. Ambulatory Center - Expert Witness Qualifications in Health Care Malpractice

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled that an anesthesiologist can provide expert testimony on the standard of care for a gastroenterologist's post-procedure assessment, provided the specialties are related and the issue overlaps. This clarifies expert witness qualification requirements under the Health Care Malpractice Claims Act.

Kyere v. Durand - Arbitration Agreement

The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland addressed whether a non-signatory agent can enforce an arbitration agreement. The court affirmed that doctors employed by a hospital had standing to compel arbitration under an employment agreement, citing interdependent misconduct and agency.

Maryland Supreme Court: State v. Stone - Traffic Stop Reasonable Suspicion

The Maryland Supreme Court ruled that observing a driver manipulating a mobile phone is insufficient on its own to establish reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop. The court clarified that police must identify specific facts, beyond general lawful phone use, to reasonably believe a traffic violation has occurred.

Attorney Grievance Commission v. Jones - Reinstatement Order

The Maryland Court of Appeals granted the Attorney Grievance Commission's motion to reinstate Gregory Wayne Jones and dismiss the disciplinary petition. This order restores Mr. Jones to good standing and permits him to practice law in Maryland.

Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Tucker - Attorney Discipline

The Maryland Court of Appeals has suspended Charles T. Tucker, Jr. for six months from the practice of law, effective March 23, 2026. The disciplinary action stems from violations of Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct.

Attorney Grievance Commission v. Hamilton - Attorney Misconduct

The Maryland Court of Appeals has disbarred attorney Judith Marie Hamilton for multiple violations of professional conduct rules, including incompetence, lack of diligence, communication failures, and misconduct during an investigation. The disciplinary action stems from her representation in a divorce case and her failure to cooperate with Bar Counsel.